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Old 02-22-2013, 08:26 AM   #1
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12 VOLT House Battery vs 6 VOLT House Battery

We currently have a 12 volt house battery (which is dead) because I let it completely discharge and didn't maintain it properly

I am considering replacing it with the Interstate Battery
6-VOLT DEEP CYCLE BCI Group - GC2 GC2-XHD or RV-XHD specifically for the RV

Are there any concerns I should consider before I do this?

Please advise me on the PROS vs CONS to this potential changeover.

Thanks,
Kettrell
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Old 02-22-2013, 09:35 AM   #2
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Not sure but don`t you need two 6 volt batteries to make up for the one twelve? I`m sure member RoyBraddy who is our battery guru will chime in.
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Old 02-22-2013, 10:24 AM   #3
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Yes Sir, we will need 2 6 volt batteries. I should have been more clear. Thank Goodness It's Friday!!!
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Old 02-22-2013, 10:30 AM   #4
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RoyBraddy will probably reply with a more detailed answer. Here's my short version: you need two 6 Volt batteries connected in series (a simple cable connection) to provide 12 volts.

One advantage is that you will get more (many more) amp hours with a 6 volt system. That means you would be able to power your 12 volt appliances for a longer time between charges.

A disadvantage to me was the weight (small TT). 6 Volt batteries are heavy and I couldn't tolerate the extra weight. If I could carry them without an issue, that's the way I would have gone.

Roy was patient with me and helpful. I'm sure you'll get good advice from him.
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Old 02-22-2013, 10:45 AM   #5
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Best way to go is with a pair of 6's more power and longer life... I have 6-6's on the tongue and have been boondocking since Oct 16 yes I have a solar system to recharge (they dont last that long)
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Old 02-22-2013, 10:58 AM   #6
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Some time ago, in another post, I made the comment most of us wish we had Seann's 12 volt set-up. But it takes room and capacity I don't have.
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Old 02-22-2013, 11:24 AM   #7
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Hi all,

I'm not clear on the advantage of 2 X 6VDC batteries. first of all 6VDC batteries are more expensive because the are not as common, secondly if one fails you cannot power anything with the good one. Two 12VDC batteries of equal capacity to the two 6VDC batteries will supply the same amount of power and if one fails you can still supply your load and recharge the other one. As far as weight and size goes, if like capacities, there shouldn't be much difference.



Quote:
Originally Posted by OnTheGo View Post
Some time ago, in another post, I made the comment most of us wish we had Seann's 12 volt set-up. But it takes room and capacity I don't have.
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Old 02-22-2013, 03:44 PM   #8
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Most 6V batteries are TRUE deep cycle. Most 12V marine batteries are a compromise. These are what are mostly used.
If you have the money and weight is not an issue the dual 6V system is the superior way to go.
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Old 02-22-2013, 07:26 PM   #9
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2 6s will produce more usable amps over a longer period of time than 2 12s and will last longer because the plates are thicker- The 6s can be discharged and recharged more times than can 12s- True, both should be replaced as a unit but the same is true of 12s- In the long run, the difference in cost will be minimal- JMHO- DD
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Old 02-22-2013, 08:07 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kave&Lucky View Post
snip...... I am considering replacing it with the Interstate Battery
6-VOLT DEEP CYCLE BCI Group - GC2 GC2-XHD....... snip
Just a little insight on my (2) 6-volt Deep Cycle Interstate upgrade:

http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...ght=interstate

This set-up has met all my camping on/off the grid expectations.

Bob
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Old 02-22-2013, 09:15 PM   #11
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Don't forget that if you change to 6V batteries, you will need heavier cables to handle the amperage.
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Old 02-22-2013, 09:16 PM   #12
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I debated dual 6 volts or dual 12 volts. I went with 12 volts exclusivley because 6 volts are heavy and hard to move around since they don't have a handle. Admittedly I would prefer dual GC2s but we store the TT in a public storage facility and I don't like leaving my batteries behind. Whenever my TT is in storage I pull the batteries and leave them on a Battery Tender in my garage...that was going to be a lot more difficult with 6V batteries.

Also, I have a Honda 2K Genset so the (2) 12 Volts provide ~170Ah vs (2) 6 Volts ~220 ---- 170Ah is plenty to get us thought a typical day/night before charging.
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Old 02-23-2013, 06:20 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tinlizzie23 View Post
Don't forget that if you change to 6V batteries, you will need heavier cables to handle the amperage.
You will only need to change the cables IF you plan on increasing your loads. Such as adding an inverter to the system. If your load demand is not going to change then simply changing from 12V to 6V batteries will not necessitate increasing the cable size.
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Old 02-23-2013, 09:03 AM   #14
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Looks like I missed out on all the fun yesterday - The two GC2 6VDC batteries connected in series does provide more usable 12VDC power than two GP24 85AH 12VDC Interstate batteries. The cost of the 85AH 12VDC batteries is around $80 I think and the cost of the COSTCO/SAMs CLUB GC2 batteries is $78-$90 depending on which one you get.

The most you can get from the two 85AH Interstate batteries connected in parallel is 170AHs and will probably only produce 25AMPS at 12VDC for around 280 minutes or 4.6 hours before they run down. On the other hand the two GC2P 6VDC batteries from COSTCO/SAMs CLUB will produce 225AHs and will probably produce 25AMPS at 12VDC for around 447 minutes or 7.45 hours. So do the math... The two 6VDC golf cart BATTERIES connected in series will produce almost twice the performance for almost the same $$ cost. This has been proven over and over by the RV'ers...

Of course changing from a single battery to additional batteries requires more space need and there will also be more weight to contend with... You will also really want to change to a smart mode charging capability and possibly increase the converter/charger power output along with large in-line battery fuses ect...

Just camping off the power grid for a weekend a month would be all I wanted to justify changing out to a better battery system.

I am currently in a situation now where my original 2008 85AH Interstate batteries are just now needing replaced. I of course want to increase my battery bank capability as I do alot of camping off the power grid in my OFF-ROAD POPUP as well as alot of two way radio emergency operations for HAM RADIO/RACES/SKYWARN/NAVY MARS so will use this as an excuse to get a even bigger battery bank. Going the 12VDC TROJAN BAttery source getting setup for four 150AH Trojan T1275P 12VDC batteries in two separate battery banks, one being on the tongue of the trailer and the other being in the bed of my truck will cost me around $1000. This would give me a good 600AH of capacity when connected together when camping off the power grid. This bank would produce 25AMPS at 12VDC for 1120 minutes or around 18 hours. If I went with the cheaper COSTCO/SAMs CLUB 6VDC golf cart batteries for the two banks I would only be able to have a 450AH 12VDC capacity battery bank which would only provide 12VDC for around 894 minutes or 15 hours of use. The cost however would only be around $360 for the two 12VDC banks using two 6VDC golf cart batteries in series. So one must must weigh the difference of what he needs to have... I could double the 6VDC system for just $720 and increase my 25AMPS at 12VDC for 30 hours of use and still be under the $1000 for the nice TROJAN T-1275P BRAND batteries...

The 6VDC GC2 batteries being used like they are all over the US for the golf carts makes them a nice readily available choice...

Being OLD SCHOOL however it just always seems like I am wasting a battery when hooking up two 6VDC GC2 batteries to make one 12VDC battery.. You have to think of two 6VDC batteries in series are really just ONE VERY BIG 12VDC battery and leave it at that hehe...

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Old 02-23-2013, 01:45 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clubhouse View Post
I debated dual 6 volts or dual 12 volts. I went with 12 volts exclusivley because 6 volts are heavy and hard to move around since they don't have a handle. Admittedly I would prefer dual GC2s but we store the TT in a public storage facility and I don't like leaving my batteries behind. Whenever my TT is in storage I pull the batteries and leave them on a Battery Tender in my garage...that was going to be a lot more difficult with 6V batteries.

Also, I have a Honda 2K Genset so the (2) 12 Volts provide ~170Ah vs (2) 6 Volts ~220 ---- 170Ah is plenty to get us thought a typical day/night before charging.
You can get a nifty little handle at most places that sell GC batteries.. if asked I can post a photo of one...
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Old 02-23-2013, 09:50 PM   #16
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I have 2 - 6V GC2's that I paid $75.00 each for. A single 12V hybrid Marine/RV deep cycle is comparable in cost one to one but there is far more lonevity and amp hours in the 2- 6V due to the plate sizing. Yes you need 2, and yes if one fails you cannot power anything with your battery alone, but your converter will work if hooked up. In all honesty I have had more failures in the 12V batteries over years of use in boats and RV's vs the 6V setup. They just take a beating better due to the nature of their intended use which is to power golf carts. You can probaly hunt down a Trojan 12V true deep cycle too which would give you comparable amp hours as the 2-6v setup. Don't know the weight but would guess at about 75# based on the plates.

6V are becomming more readily available I am finding due to the solar movement and depending on where you live they can be found in most club stores for a very good price. We boondock several trips a season which is why I opted for them. If you are always at campgrounds with 120V then it might not be a neccessity or an expense you want to pursue. Most of the 12V hybrids though will need to be changed out every 3-4+/- years based on my experience with them.

With the 2-6V setup there are no mods required to your charger but you will need to add a battery box if you do not have one already. Some great mods have been posted on this forum for TT tounge mounts with great illustrations and part lists.
Good luck.
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Old 02-26-2013, 01:03 PM   #17
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Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions. I have decided at this time I am going to stay with 1 Interstate 12 volt battery and install a battery cutoff switch in order to eliminate a drain when I forget and leave something switched on. I've a couple reasons for this decision.

1) We currently do little or no off grid camping and don't plan to do much over the next few years. Therefore can't currently jusitify the added expense.
2) If we changed over to the (2) 6 volt battery system I'd have to add another battery location and I'm not sure where right now.

Once we've retired (approx 4 years), we'll revisit this issue and weigh the pros and cons at that time. Again, I really appreciate the exchange of knowledge, experience and information in these forums!

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